It’s the 1970s.
At work, we rely on typewriters. If we need to copy a document, we likely use a
mimeograph or carbon paper. Few have heard of microcomputers, but two young
computer enthusiasts, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, see that personal computing is
a path to the future.

In 1975, Gates
and Allen form a partnership called Microsoft. Like most start-ups, Microsoft
begins small, but has a huge vision—a computer on every desktop and in every
home. During the next years, Microsoft begins to change the ways we work.

The dawn of MS‑DOS

In June 1980,
Gates and Allen hire Gates’ former Harvard classmate Steve Ballmer to help run
the company. The next month, IBM approaches Microsoft about a project
code-named “Chess.” In response, Microsoft focuses on a new operating
system—the software that manages, or runs, the computer hardware and also
serves to bridge the gap between the computer hardware and programs, such as a
word processor. It’s the foundation on which computer programs can run. They
name their new operating system “MS‑DOS.”

When the IBM PC
running MS‑DOS ships in 1981, it introduces a whole new language to the general
public. Typing “C:” and various cryptic commands gradually becomes part of
daily work. People discover the backslash (\) key.

MS‑DOS is
effective, but also proves difficult to understand for many people. There has
to be a better way to build an operating system.

Geek trivia: MS‑DOS
stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System.

1982–1985: Introducing Windows 1.0

Microsoft works on the first version of a new operating system. Interface Manager is the code name and is considered as the final name, but Windows prevails because it best describes the boxes or computing “windows” that are fundamental to the new system. Windows is announced in 1983, but it takes a while to develop. Skeptics call it “vaporware.”

The
fully-packaged Windows 1.0

On November 20,
1985, two years after the initial announcement, Microsoft ships Windows 1.0.
Now, rather than typing MS‑DOS commands, you just move a mouse to point and
click your way through screens, or “windows.” Bill Gates says, “It is unique
software designed for the serious PC user…”

There are
drop-down menus, scroll bars, icons, and dialog boxes that make programs easier
to learn and use. You’re able to switch among several programs without having
to quit and restart each one. Windows 1.0 ships with several programs,
including MS‑DOS file management, Paint, Windows Writer, Notepad, Calculator,
and a calendar, card file, and clock to help you manage day-to-day activities.
There’s even a game—Reversi.

Geek trivia:
Remember floppy disks and kilobytes? Windows 1.0 requires a minimum of 256
kilobytes (KB), two double-sided floppy disk drives, and a graphics adapter
card. A hard disk and 512 KB memory is recommended for running multiple
programs or when using DOS 3.0 or higher.

1987–1992: Windows 2.0–2.11—More windows, more speed

On December 9,
1987 Microsoft releases Windows 2.0 with desktop icons and expanded memory.
With improved graphics support, you can now overlap windows, control the screen
layout, and use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your work. Some software
developers write their first Windows–based programs for this release.

Windows 2.0

Windows 2.0 is
designed for the Intel 286 processor. When the Intel 386 processor is released,
Windows/386 soon follows to take advantage of its extended memory capabilities.
Subsequent Windows releases continue to improve the speed, reliability, and
usability of the PC.

In 1988,
Microsoft becomes the world’s largest PC software company based on sales.
Computers are starting to become a part of daily life for some office workers.

Geek trivia:
Control Panel makes its first appearance in Windows 2.0.

1990–1994: Windows 3.0–Windows NT—Getting the graphics

On May 22, 1990,
Microsoft announces Windows 3.0, followed shortly by Windows 3.1 in 1992. Taken
together, they sell 10 million copies in their first 2 years, making this the
most widely used Windows operating system yet. The scale of this success causes
Microsoft to revise earlier plans. Virtual Memory improves visual graphics. In
1990 Windows starts to look like the versions to come.

Windows now has significantly better performance, advanced graphics with 16 colors, and improved icons. A new wave of 386 PCs helps drive the popularity of Windows 3.0. With full support for the Intel 386 processor, programs run noticeably faster. Program Manager, File Manager, and Print Manager arrive in Windows 3.0.

Bill Gates shows
the newly-released Windows 3.0

Windows software
is installed with floppy discs bought in large boxes with heavy instruction
manuals.

The popularity
of Windows 3.0 grows with the release of a new Windows software development kit
(SDK), which helps software developers focus more on writing programs and less
on writing device drivers.

Windows is
increasingly used at work and home and now includes games like Solitaire, Hearts,
and Minesweeper. An advertisement: “Now you can use the incredible power of
Windows 3.0 to goof off.”

Windows for
Workgroups 3.11 adds peer-to-peer workgroup and domain networking support and,
for the first time, PCs become an integral part of the emerging client/server
computing evolution.

Windows NT

When Windows NT
releases on July 27, 1993, Microsoft meets an important milestone: the
completion of a project begun in the late 1980s to build an advanced new
operating system from scratch. “Windows NT represents nothing less than a
fundamental change in the way that companies can address their business
computing requirements,” Bill Gates says at its release.

Unlike Windows
3.1, however, Windows NT 3.1 is a 32-bit operating system, which makes it a
strategic business platform that supports high-end engineering and scientific
programs.

Geek trivia: The
group that develops Windows NT was originally called the “Portable
Systems” team.

On August 24, 1995, Microsoft releases Windows 95, selling a record-setting 7 million copies in the first five weeks. It’s the most publicized launch Microsoft has ever taken on. Television commercials feature the Rolling Stones singing “Start Me Up” over images of the new Start button. The press release simply begins: “It’s here.”

Launch day: Bill
Gates introduces Windows 95

This is the era
of fax/modems, e‑mail, the new online world, and dazzling multimedia games and
educational software. Windows 95 has built-in Internet support, dial-up
networking, and new Plug and Play capabilities that make it easy to install
hardware and software. The 32-bit operating system also offers enhanced
multimedia capabilities, more powerful features for mobile computing, and
integrated networking.

At the time of
the Windows 95 release, the previous Windows and MS‑DOS operating systems are
running on about 80 percent of the world’s PCs. Windows 95 is the upgrade to
these operating systems. To run Windows 95, you need a PC with a 386DX or
higher processor (486 recommended) and at least 4 MB of RAM (8 MB of RAM
recommended). Upgrade versions are available for both floppy disk and CD-ROM
formats. It’s available in 12 languages.

Windows 95 features the first appearance of the Start menu, taskbar, and minimize, maximize, and close buttons on each window.

Windows 95

Catching the Internet wave

In the early
1990s, tech insiders are talking about the Internet—a network of networks that
has the power to connect computers all over the world. In 1995, Bill Gates
delivers a memo titled “The Internet Tidal Wave,” and declares the Internet as
“the most important development since the advent of the PC.”

Geek trivia: In
1996, Microsoft releases Flight Simulator for Windows 95—the first time in its
14-year history that it’s available for Windows.

1998–2000: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me

Windows 98

Released on June
25, 1998, Windows 98 is the first version of Windows designed specifically for
consumers. PCs are common at work and home, and Internet cafes where you can
get online are popping up. Windows 98 is described as an operating system that
“Works Better, Plays Better.”

With Windows 98,
you can find information more easily on your PC as well as the Internet. Other
improvements include the ability to open and close programs more quickly, and
support for reading DVD discs and universal serial bus (USB) devices. Another
first appearance is the Quick Launch bar, which lets you run programs without
having to browse the Start menu or look for them on the desktop.

Geek trivia: Windows 98 is the last version based on MS‑DOS.

Windows 98

Windows Me

Designed for
home computer use, Windows Me offers numerous music, video, and home networking
enhancements and reliability improvements compared to previous versions.

First
appearances: System Restore, a feature that can roll back your PC software
configuration to a date or time before a problem occurred. Movie Maker provides
users with the tools to digitally edit, save, and share home videos. And with
Microsoft Windows Media Player 7 technologies, you can find, organize, and play
digital media.

Geek trivia:
Technically speaking, Windows Me was the last Microsoft operating system to be
based on the Windows 95 code base. Microsoft announced that all future
operating system products would be based on the Windows NT and Windows 2000
kernel.

Windows 2000 Professional

Windows 2000
Professional

More than just
the upgrade to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional is
designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on
all business desktops and laptops. Built on top of the proven Windows NT
Workstation 4.0 code base, Windows 2000 adds major improvements in reliability,
ease of use, Internet compatibility, and support for mobile computing.

Among other
improvements, Windows 2000 Professional simplifies hardware installation by
adding support for a wide variety of new Plug and Play hardware, including
advanced networking and wireless products, USB devices, IEEE 1394 devices, and
infrared devices.

Geek trivia: The
nightly stress test performed on Windows 2000 during development is the
equivalent of three months of run time on up to 1,500 computers.

2001–2005: Windows XP—Stable, usable, and fast

On October 25,
2001, Windows XP is released with a redesigned look and feel that’s centered on
usability and a unified Help and Support services center. It’s available in 25
languages. From the mid-1970s until the release of Windows XP, about 1 billion
PCs have been shipped worldwide.

For Microsoft, Windows XP will become one of its best-selling products in the coming years. It’s both fast and stable. Navigating the Start menu, taskbar, and Control Panel are more intuitive. Awareness of computer viruses and hackers increases, but fears are to a certain extent calmed by the online delivery of security updates. Consumers begin to understand warnings about suspicious attachments and viruses. There’s more emphasis on Help and Support.

Ship it: Windows
XP Professional rolls to retail stores

Windows XP Home
Edition offers a clean, simplified visual design that makes frequently used
features more accessible. Designed for home use, Windows XP offers such
enhancements as the Network Setup Wizard, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie
Maker, and enhanced digital photo capabilities.

Windows XP
Professional brings the solid foundation of Windows 2000 to the PC desktop,
enhancing reliability, security, and performance. With a fresh visual design,
Windows XP Professional includes features for business and advanced home
computing, including remote desktop support, an encrypting file system, and
system restore and advanced networking features. Key enhancements for mobile
users include wireless 802.1x networking support, Windows Messenger, and Remote
Assistance.

Windows XP has
several editions during these years:

Windows XP 64-bit Edition
(2001) is the first Microsoft operating system for 64-bit processors
designed for working with large amounts of memory and projects such as
movie special effects, 3D animations, engineering, and scientific
programs.

Windows XP Media Center
Edition (2002) is made for home computing and entertainment. You can
browse the Internet, watch live television, enjoy digital music and video
collections, and watch DVDs.

Windows XP Tablet PC
Edition (2002) realizes the vision of pen-based computing. Tablet PCs
include a digital pen for handwriting recognition and you can use the
mouse or keyboard, too.

Geek trivia:
Windows XP is compiled from 45 million lines of code.

2006–2008: Windows Vista—Smart on security

Windows Vista is released in 2006 with the strongest security system yet. User Account Control helps prevent potentially harmful software from making changes to your computer. In Windows Vista Ultimate, BitLocker Drive Encryption provides better data protection for your computer, as laptop sales and security needs increase. Windows Vista also features enhancements to Windows Media Player as more and more people come to see their PCs as central locations for digital media. Here you can watch television, view and send photographs, and edit videos.

Windows Vista
Ultimate

Design plays a
big role in Windows Vista, and features such as the taskbar and the borders
around windows get a brand new look. Search gets new emphasis and helps people
find files on their PCs faster. Windows Vista introduces new editions that each
have a different mix of features. It’s available in 35 languages. The
redesigned Start button makes its first appearance in Windows Vista.

Geek trivia:
More than 1.5 million devices are compatible with Windows Vista at launch.

2009: Windows 7

Windows 7 was
built for the wireless world that arose in the late 2000s. By the time it was
released, laptops were outselling desktops, and it had become common to connect
to public wireless hotspots in coffee shops and private networks in the home.

Windows 7 included new ways to work with windows—like Snap, Peek, and Shake—which both improved functionality and made the interface more fun to use. It also marked the debut of Windows Touch, which let touchscreen users browse the web, flip through photos, and open files and folders.

Improvements to
the Windows 7 taskbar include live thumbnail previews

Geek trivia:
Windows 7 was evaluated by 8 million beta testers worldwide before it was
released.

2012: Windows 8

Windows 8 is
Windows reimagined from the chipset to the user experience. It functions as
both a tablet for entertainment and a full-featured PC for getting things done.
It introduces a totally new interface that works smoothly for both touch and
mouse and keyboard. Windows 8 also includes enhancements of the familiar
Windows desktop, with a new taskbar and streamlined file management.

Windows 8
features a Start screen with tiles that connect to people, files, apps, and
websites. Apps are front and center, with access to a new place to get apps—the
Windows Store—built right in to the Start screen.

Along with
Windows 8, Microsoft also launched Windows RT, which runs on some tablets and
PCs. Windows RT is designed for sleek devices and long battery life, and
exclusively runs apps from the Windows Store. It also comes with a built-in
version of Office that’s optimized for touchscreens.

Geek trivia: Power users will notice that Windows 8 has made the detection and correction of file system errors both more transparent and less intrusive.

Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 is a personal computer operating system that was produced by Microsoft and released as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems , which brought the most desired mission button from Windows 8 back, the START BUTTON 🙂

The retail box of Windows 8.1 Pro

The retail box of Windows 8.1

Windows 10

Windows 10 is a series of personal computer operating systems produced by Microsoft as part of its Windows NT family of operating systems. It is the successor to Windows 8.1, and was released to manufacturing on July 15, 2015, and broadly released for retail sale on July 29, 2015.

The latest version, the Windows 10 May 2019 Update (also known as version 1903), contains a variety of valuable features and enhancements, including changes to the Windows Shell, search and Cortana modifications, tons of settings tweaks, and some new apps.

Microsoft announced in March that Windows 10 was now installed on more than 825 million active devices, up from 700 million in September 2018.

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Author

Erdal is an Australian IT Professional with business development & management skills who focuses on securing the Cyber Space & sharing his real-life skills as a Security Adviser, Speaker, Lecturer, Author and Cybersecurity Architect.